April 2007 Editor's Letter
By: Jill Pinheiro

I have just returned from the School Equipment Show, presented by the National School Supply & Equipment Association (NSSEA), which featured more than 200 of the industry's major FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment) manufacturers in 500 booths.

While I was there, I attended a great seminar entitled "State-of-the-Art Facilities," which was presented by Andrea McLean and Liz Geraghty of Heery International, a firm that specializes in equipment planning and logistics for schools. They discussed how recent designs and renovations of schools are reflecting the evolution of classrooms from "chalk and talk" to project-based learning.

Classroom furniture manufacturers are reflecting this trend in their designs as well, as I saw many examples on the trade show floor of desk designs in clusters for students to work together.

According to Kathleen Chaney and Wren Ovard of Worthington Direct, writers of this issue's classroom furniture article, "Collaborative learning environments are creating the need for desks that can be used individually, in pairs, small groups, semi-circles or full circles as the lesson plans dictate."

Our annual spotlight on classroom furniture provides some critical purchasing considerations when outfitting your school's classrooms with desks and chairs. Additionally, you'll find a roundup of the latest and greatest furniture options to maximize your students' learning experience and to enhance your school's own educational style.

Additionally, this issue is full of other informative topics, including how to implement high-tech administrative tools, select proper flooring, utilize portable classrooms, and plan a science lab.

I hope, as always, that you find plenty of helpful information to help you run your Christian educational facility as effectively and efficiently as possible.

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor